According to general statistical one in ten patients with eating disorders is a man. This means that 10% of all men suffer from eating disorders, but in the opinion of many experts, the number could be even greater. The problem with the people that they are not willing to come and complain about their problems and to hide their problems more than women. All these make it difficult to show an accurate statistics for male sufferers.
Doctors agree that the diagnosis is anorexia and bulimia in men harder than women, despite similar behaviors. Men are also more frequently with depression are diagnosed with disorders of appetite.
A large proportion of people with eating disorders are athletes. There is a tendency among the male athletes on a diet or avoid certain foods in order to reach a goal weight or body image. Other professions that are vulnerable to the development of eating disorders, horse racing, modeling, dancing, distance running and driving.
The lack of visibility of eating disorders in men is a number of things.
First, people do not discuss anorexia-bulimia problems, and they do not share information with other men. Most of them believe that the subject is a female affair.
Secondly, men combine beauty with body mass, muscle definition not bulge and weight loss. For many men admit that they have an eating disorder can undermine their masculinity. This makes the people keep their secrets about their problems to eat even if they have one.
Third, think the people that society and help them to be tough for emotional problems (especially anything to do with food seeking) expects to make many men feel uncomfortable, so they do not.
Nevertheless, the statistics show that:
- About 3% of men eating the whole time, or at least ten times a year.
- Approx. 10-14% of young men intentionally vomit after eating to control weight and / or relief from their stressful feelings.
- Up to 21% of men have a history of binge eating (binge-eating, when they moderate their emotions).
The latest studies also show that men are psychologically similar to female eating disorders, eating disorders. Do they have similar emotional reasons, and start for similar reasons.
What are the types of strategies we can use for the prevention and early intervention of male eating disorders?
1. We should recognize that eating disorders can be no discrimination based on sex and men be affected as women.
2. We need to learn about the signs of eating disorders in males: weight changes, extreme concerns about weight and body image, general withdrawal from others, extremely busy on the consumption of certain foods, mood swings, frequent measurements of his own body and weight, counting calories and reading the labeling of foods, overexercising and the like.
3. We must understand that certain activities and professions (with an athlete, actor, dancer, jockey, etc.), people share the risk of developing eating disorders.
4. We should be with young people about cultural attitudes towards masculinity and how it is portrayed by the media.
5. Promotion of male participation in the traditional "non-masculine" activities such as shopping, laundry and kitchen.
6. Show respect for gay men.
7. Should never point to emphasize size or shape as a clue to the value or identity of a man than a man.
8. We should confront other, the men who do not conform to traditional cultural expectations for masculinity, tease try.
9. As parents and teachers, we should listen carefully to what young men talked about their feelings and emotions, and they take it seriously.
10. All fathers should understand their important role in not preventing eating disorders in their sons degrading when they are not interested in sports or other so-called masculine activities.
Finally, male eating disorders are now an important issue. Understanding, will speak openly about these issues helps struggling enormously. Encourage men to talk and share their experiences, the first important step to overcoming it.
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